Bhubaneswar has experienced explosive population growth over the last two decades. The 2011 census recorded a population of 840,834 within the municipal limits, but current estimates place the metropolitan population well over 1.1 million.
The city boasts an exceptionally high literacy rate of over 93%, significantly higher than the national average. Demographically, it is a youthful city, bolstered by an influx of students and young professionals drawn to its universities and IT parks. Hinduism is the dominant religion (over 95%), followed by small communities of Muslims, Christians, and Jains.
Odia is the primary and official language, spoken by the vast majority of residents. However, due to its cosmopolitan nature and status as an educational hub, English and Hindi are widely understood and spoken, along with Bengali and various regional tribal languages.